Features and Benefits of Autoconfiguration

Main memory is used more efficiently because modules are loaded
when needed.

There is no need to reconfigure the kernel when new devices
are added to the system.

Drivers can be loaded and tested without having to rebuild
the kernel and reboot the system.

Autoconfiguration is used when you add
a new device (and driver) to the system. At this time, you might need to perform
reconfiguration boot so that the system recognizes the new device unless the
device is hot-pluggable. For information about hot-plugging devices, see Chapter 6, Dynamically Configuring Devices (Tasks).